NOW Applauds Kerry, Kennedy for Leading Filibuster Effort

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Bennett, 202-628-8669, ext. 123; cell 202-641-1906

NOW Applauds Kerry and Kennedy for Leading Filibuster,
Calls on Women's Rights Supporters in Senate to Join Effort

January 27, 2006

"NOW applauds Senators John Kerry and Ted Kennedy for taking the lead in launching a filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "We call on all women's rights supporters in the Senate to join this important effort."

A cloture vote to end debate is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 30, at 4:30 pm. Several senators have announced their support of the filibuster, and others privately indicated their willingness to join Kerry and Kennedy, but now they must do so publicly.

"We need an extended debate on this nomination, so that the public sees clearly what is at stake if Alito is confirmed," said Gandy. "Women and men from across the country have spent the last month calling, writing and visiting their senators to get the message across that Alito is the wrong judge at the wrong time for women and this nation."

Today, NOW called on its supporters once again to phone those senators who profess support for women's rights, civil rights and liberties, and the separation of powers, urging them to unite in a filibuster of Alito.

"This nominee is opposed to women's rights on every count," Gandy said. "His record is 20 years long. He was the architect of a plan to overturn Roe v. Wade. He has repeatedly ignored privacy rights. He made it infinitely harder to bring claims of sex discrimination and sexual harassment. There is nothing on his resume or in his numerous opinions suggesting that he would support our fundamental rights."

Gandy concluded: "The filibuster is our only option at this point, and it is every senator's right to use it. Shrinking from a fight will only weaken us for the next one. Your silence will not protect us."